LG Autonomy: ‘History Will Vindicate El-Rufai’ – Kaduna Lawmaker

Kaduna North House of Representatives member, Bello El-Rufai has said his father cum former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, was the first governor in Northern Nigeria who attempted to grant local government full autonomy.

Naija News reported earlier that the apex court ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds designated for local government administrations.

The landmark judgement, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, emphasized that this practice contravenes the financial autonomy rights of local governments and has persisted for over two decades.

In the judgment delivered by a seven-man panel, Justice Agim ruled that the 774 local government councils in the country are to independently manage their funds.

The apex court emphasized the division of government power into federal, state, and local levels. Additionally, the court stated that a state government does not have the authority to appoint a caretaker committee and that a democratically elected government is the only legitimate form of local government council.

Reacting via a post on his X handle, Bello said history will vindicate El-Rufai for his effort.

He wrote, “Mal. @elrufai was the first Governor in Northern Nigeria to attempt granting local government full autonomy.

“History will vindicate Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.”